Laminar and turbulent flow

Virtual lab (No 1)

Fluid mechanics
Mechanical Engineering
Universidad Autónoma de Manizales

Using a computational fluid dynamics tool, perform the 3D analysis of a pipe for two Reynolds
numbers in order to evaluate the velocity profiles for laminar and turbulent flow and the length of full
flow development.

1. Analytical calculations
First, analytical calculations for laminar and turbulent flows will be performed:

1.1. Laminar flow

For the laminar flow case, calculate the Reynolds number Re = ρV D/µ and the flow development
length le based on the following values:

The pipe diameter D(m) is equal to the last ID number plus 1.0 divided by 20.
The average velocity V (m/s) in the pipe is equal to the last ID number plus 1 times 0.05.

The fluid density ρ(kg/m3 ) is equal to the last ID number plus 3.0 times 100.
The fluid viscosity µ(Pa·s) is equal to the last number in the ID plus 7.0 divided by 100.

1.2. Turbulent flow

For the turbulent flow case, calculate the Reynolds number Re = ρV D/µ and the flow development
length le based on the following values:

The pipe diameter D(m) is equal to the last ID number plus 10 divided by 20.
The average velocity V (m/s) in the pipe is equal to the last ID number plus 15 times 0.1.
The fluid density ρ(kg/m3 ) is equal to the last ID number plus 8.0 times 60.
The fluid viscosity µ(Pa·s) is equal to the last number in the ID plus 7.0 divided by 100.

2. Numerical evaluation
Using a CFD tool, the results obtained analytically will be corroborated. Perform the following
procedure for laminar and turbulent flow.

1. Create the pipe (cylinder) shown in the figure. Take into account that the diameter (D) and
length (L) of the pipe is based on the results obtained in sections 1.1 and 1.2.

2. Generate a mesh between 50.000 and 100.000 elements.

3. Define the boundary conditions taking into account the information calculated in section 1.

1
 4. Define the Navier-Stokes and RANS equations as governing equations of the problem and define
the properties of the fluid taking into account the information calculated in section 1.
5. Solve the problem.
6. Divide the cylinder longitudinally in 5 parts and plot the velocity profile in the central section
for each cut.

3. Results
Present the numerical results for each of the cases studied and compare them with those obtained
by means of the analytical equations. The report should contain at least:

Analytical calculations.
Plots of velocity profiles for each cut.
Velocity and pressure contours in the central section of the pipe.
Analysis of results

Guidelines
Maximum two students by group.
The final document must be upload to Google Classroom.

Bibliography
[1] Munson, B. R., Okiishi, T. H., Huebsch, W. W., Rothmayer, A. P. (2013). Fluid mechanics
(pp. 271-274). Singapore: Wiley.